Top scholarships to study in Canada (2025)

Making use of foreign student scholarships is a wise approach to address the expense of attending university in Canada. In this sense, learning in Canada would be both profitable and reasonably priced. Additionally, your scholarship will free you from juggling many part-time jobs to international ones and enable you to concentrate on your studies.

Canada is an interesting place to study and thousands of students want to study in Canada. However, some of them give up on the notion due to the high cost of life and education. Thus, getting a scholarship to study in Canada will be a dream come true for many. 

In summary, scholarships in Canada fall into the following categories:

• Government Scholarships 
• NGO Scholarship
• Canadian University Scholarships

There are several scholarships available for foreign students to study in Canada, and I’ll list the best ones in this article. Keep reading if you’re interested. 

Government Scholarships

1. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships

The University of Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program is awarded to foreign students who stand out for their outstanding academic performance, inventiveness, and leadership qualities within their institution.

The scholarship covers provide complete living assistance in addition to tuition, books, and incidentals.

2. Canada-ASEAN Seed

Canada-ASEAN scholarships are awarded by Global Affairs Canada to students who are pursuing further education. Included in the cost are the fees for obtaining a visa and/or study or work permit, flights, health insurance, housing expenses, ground transportation costs, books, and supplies.

3. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program

Vanier Scholarships are available from the Canadian government to students seeking master’s degrees in the arts, sciences, and engineering, among other fields. Students who are awarded the scholarship will get CAD 50,000 per year for three years.

4. Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships 

The Banting Post doctoral Fellowship is offered to postgraduate students both domestically and abroad to attract the brightest brains. For two years, students will get CAD 70,000, a year.

5. Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship 

Countries from Commonwealth countries are eligible for several awards each year. The benefits of this scholarship vary by year, offering distinct opportunities.

6. Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship

Financial aid is provided to students enrolled at Quebec universities. Up to CAD 40,000, in scholarships are awarded.

7. National Research Council of Canada (NRCC)

Research students seeking a master’s or doctoral degree are awarded research funds. The cost and length are determined by your level of study.

8. Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program

Students who enrol at public institutions in Ontario are eligible for assistance via the Ontario Scholarship. The award ranges from CAD 5000 to CAD 15,000.

9. Ontario Trillium Scholarship 

This fellowship is given to PhD candidates from abroad. Over four years, up to CAD 40,000 is awarded.

University Scholarships

1. York University International Student Scholarship Program 

International applicants accepted into York University with a strong academic record are eligible for scholarships ranging from $80,000 to CAD 180,000 for a four-year degree program.

2. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships 

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) aim to position Canada as a worldwide hub for research and higher education by attracting and holding top-tier PhD candidates. 

The scholar needs to use at participating Canadian universities toward a doctorate (or combination MA/PhD or MD/PhD).  The scholarship has a three-year maximum value of $50,000 each year.

3. University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships 

The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships (UMGF) are merit-based grants available to students of any nationality enrolled full-time in the University of Manitoba’s graduate program (Master’s or Ph.D.). 

For 12 months, the scholarships are worth $18,000 for PhD students and $14,000 for Master’s students.

4. Calgary International Entrance Scholarships

An overseas student starting their undergraduate studies at the University of Calgary is eligible to apply for the coveted University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship, which honours exceptional achievements.

Recipients of this scholarship receive $60,000, which is the entire cost for an undergraduate program spanning four years.

5. Winnipeg Pident’s Scholarships for World Leaders

First-time foreign students enrolling in any of the university’s divisions are eligible to apply for the University of Winnipeg President’s Scholarship for World Leaders. The amount of the scholarships is $3,500– $5,000.

6. University of British Columbia Scholarships for International Students

With a yearly budget of over CAD 10 million, UBC honours the academic achievements of exceptional students from all around the globe by providing prizes, scholarships, and other financial aid to foreign undergraduate students.

7. Carleton Prestige Scholarships

There are several scholarships available from Carleton University to deserving first-year undergraduate applicants who have an entrance average of 90% or above. 

8. Pierre Elliot Trudeau qualify Doctoral Scholarships

The scholarships are available to foreign nationals applying to PhD programs in the social sciences and humanities at Canadian universities, or to those enrolled full-time in the first or second year of such programs, with a preference for applicants from developing nations. 

For a maximum of three years, each scholar may receive an annual value of up to $60,000.

9. University of Calgary Graduate Awards

International students may apply for a variety of full and partial scholarships from the University of Calgary. Scholarships span a variety of subjects and have values ranging from $1,000 to $40,000.

Canada’s Non-Governmental Scholarships

In Canada, non-governmental scholarships are awarded by powerful people or by nonprofit organizations. They use this action to entice foreign students to Canada for more education. Among the best scholarships for studying in Canada that you may apply for are:

1. The Anne Vallée Ecological Fund (AVEF)

The Anne Vallée Ecological Fund (AVEF) provides two scholarships of CAD 1,500 to students enrolled in master’s or doctorate programs at universities in British Columbia or Québec that focus on animal research.

2. Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship

A reward of CAD 2,000 is up for grabs for Canadian undergraduate or graduate students already based essays must be submitted to be considered for this prize.

Conclusion

Scholarships are offered for graduate, postdoctoral, and undergraduate programs, among other levels of study. Students are supported in a variety of disciplines by government-funded programs, university-specific prizes, and private efforts, which make education affordable and foster a dynamic and inclusive learning environment.